In-tank fuel pump reservoir

ABSTRACT

A fuel reservoir arranged about the intake or suction conduit of a fuel pump supply line in a fuel tank utilized by internal combustion engines, consisting of a cylindrical container having a bottom and open top and to which a venturi nozzle is mounted. The venturi receives the return fuel and injects it into the reservoir. The auxiliary fuel is provided through an inlet opening at the throat of the venturi. The return flow of excess fuel delivered by said fuel pump creates a low pressure zone at the throat of the venturi thereby sucking the auxiliary fuel into the venturi causing both auxiliary fuel and return fuel to be injected into the reservoir in a vortical motion about said suction conduit.

United States Patent 191 Shimrony 1451 Apr. 24, 1973 [54] IN-TANK FUELPUMP RESERVOIR 2,077,024 4/1937 Tanner et al. ..417 1s1 [75] Inventor:Yoram Shimrony, Elmira, NY.

I Primary ExaminerCarlton R. Croyle [73] Assignee: The BendixCorp0rati0n,Southf1eld, Assistant Examiner Richard Gluck Mlch-Att0mey-William S. Thompson et al. [22] Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 (Under Rule47) Appl. No.: 91 ,733

[ 57] ABSTRACT A fuel reservoir arranged about the intake or suctionconduit of a fuel pump supply line in a fuel tank utilized by internalcombustion engines, consisting of a cylindrical container having abottom and open top and to which a venturi nozzle is mounted. Theventuri receives thereturn fuel and injects it into the reservoir. Theauxiliary fuel is provided through an inlet opening at the throat of theventuri. The return flow of excess fuel delivered by said fuel pumpcreates a low pressure zone at the throat of the venturi thereby suckingthe auxiliary fuel into the venturi causing both auxiliary fuel andreturn fuel to be injected into the reservoir in a vortical motion aboutsaid suction conduit.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FUEL PUMP ENGINE Patented April 24, 19733,729,273

2 Sheets-Sheet l l0 FUEL PUMP l2 4 2o I L I ll 2| ENGlNE Pl GU RE 2FIGURE 3 YORAM SH/MRONY INVENTOR.

Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,273

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlGURE 4- FIGURE 5 YORAM JH/MRONY INVENTOR.

IN-TANK FUEL PUMP REsERvorR FIELD OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THEPRIOR ART It is known in the prior art to provide installations for usein fuel tanks of internal combustion engines which serve the purpose ofdamming-up, collecting and storing, especially with a relatively lowfuel level in the tank, the fuel present within the tank during breakingand acceleration as well as during curve drives. These prior art devicesdam-up, collect and store the fuel within the region of the fuel suctionline, and are used, for example, in the form of relatively low partitionwalls extending in a transverse direction of the fuel tank and securedto the tank bottom ahead and/or behind the suction line. With such aninstallation, fuel under the influence of accelerating and deceleratingforces is effectively dammed-up and collected by these partition walls.

Other prior art arrangements are known in which an S-shaped verticallyextending guide sheet metal strip is provided above the suction line inthe fuel tank at the bottom thereof, whereby the fuel which runs offalong the outer leg portions of the S-shaped strip is dammedup and isthereby effectively conducted to the fuel suction line.

Furthermore, fuel tank constructions are known in the prior art, theinner space of which is subdivided in an S-shaped manner by means ofsheet metal walls whereby an outlet is provided in each individualspace. Additionally, it is known to form such S-shaped subdivisions bymeans of anti-roll baffle plates, also provided with a large number ofsmall apertures.

It is also known in the prior art to arrange an anti-roll baffle boxabout the fuel supply line with the four side walls of the baffle boxrigidly connected with the fuel tank bottom, which is thereby providedwith apertures in proximity to the fuel tank bottom to enabletherethrough the flow of fuel.

All of these prior art installations mentioned hereinabove, however,exhibit for the most part, considerable short comings and disadvantages.

For example, no definite assurance is given by the use of the particulardamming-up walls and/or guide walls known in the prior art which arearranged only transversely to the driving direction, that a sufficientsupply of fuel for the internal combustion engine is provided reliablyunder all possible conditions. Since it can be safely assumed that undernormal driving conditions more accelerating forces for the fuel occurwhich are directed in the transverse direction of the vehicle in theform of centrifugal forces than in the longitudinal direction of thevehicle by reason of the more frequent occurrence of curved drives oftentimes no appreciable damming-up of the fuel or none at all take placewith the occurrence of centrifugal forces to assure a safe and reliablesupply of fuel with the prior art installations.

Additionally, there exists also the danger that the fuel will flow outof the immediate vicinity of the fuel outlet with the prior artconstructions utilizing individual baffle plates provided with smallconnecting passages, not to mention the high constructional costs andexpenses necessitated by such prior art installations.

Many of the short comings and disadvantages of the prior art devicesmentioned above were surportedly obviated by even later devices. Thesedevices consisted essentially of a damming-up and storage housing havingan outer curved wall and an inner curved wall forming therebetween aspiral shaped inlet channel for the fuel in communication at the outerend thereof with the inside of the fuel tank, and in communication atthe inner end thereof with the inside of the storing housing. The excessfuel is returned to the housing by means of a return line thatdischarges the excess fuel either directly into the inner housing of thestorage housing, or by discharging the excess fuel from the fuel returnline essentially tangentially into the inlet of the storage space. Theinlet channel of these devices is formed by an inner and outer wallmounted directly to the fuel tanks bottom. However, these devices alsohad major disadvantages.

For example, the provision of a spiral shaped channel formed by at leastone wall is difficult to mount or assemble to the fuel tank s bottom.Furthermore, the lack of a unitary design would cause these devices tobe unstable, i.e., a shifting of components with normal usage, or in thealternative would demand extensive supporting structure insuring properalignment of the fuel return line. Also, the inlet channel formed by thedouble-wall spiral design is relatively large in cross section therebypermitting large quantities of return fuel and/or stored-up fuel toescape; this shortcoming extends unduly the length of time necessary toadequately fill the housing under conditions requiring a higher fuellevel within the housing than is provided by the level of in-tank orauxiliary fuel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a fuel pump reservoirfor a fuel tank utilized by internal combustion engines in which thefuel storage structure is of cylindrical form having a bottom and anopen top to which a fuel venturi nozzle is attached. The venturi-likenozzle has a fuel return passage and an in-tank fuel inlet locatedadjacent the throat of the venturi so that the flow of said return fuelcreates a low pressure zone at the auxiliary fuel inlet thereby suckingthe auxiliary fuel into the nozzle causing the auxiliary fuel and returnfuel to be introduced into the reservoir tangential of the wall thereofin a vortical motion.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a fuel pumpreservoir having a relatively smooth continuous interior wall, and intowhich both return line fuel and in-tank fuel is injected. By the use ofa venturi as an injecting nozzle, efficient use is made of the returnline fuel. The creation of a vortex within the cylinder by thedischarged fuel enables the fuel to defoam and degas before reaching thefuel pump tom of the fuel tank, practically complete consumption of thein-tank fuel is possible.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fuel collecting andstoring arrangement of simple design lending itself to very economicalconstruction.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a storingdevice within a fuel tank which is of relatively simply unitary designthus enabling the device to be molded from a plastic material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel collectingand storing reservoir of cylindrical form having only one continuousrelatively smoothside wall.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of acollector and storage construction within the fuel tank for an internalcombustion engine,

or similar moving vehicles and in particular for a fuel injection engineoperating with a'fuel supply pump in which the fuel sucked in excess ofthe required amount is returned to the fuel tank through the returnline.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuelcollecting and return apparatus for the fuel tank of an internalcombustion engine which apparatus comprises a cylindrical storagestructure to which is attached or formed on the wall thereof aventuri-like nozzle having at least one opening therein providing aninlet for the auxiliary fuel so that the return fuel from the enginesucks auxiliary fuel into the nozzle through said opening therebydischarging both auxiliary and return fuel tangential of said cylinderwall in a whirling motion.

Further objects of this invention reside in the provision of a reservoirfor the suction conduit of a fuel pump utilized by automotive vehicleswhich is of simple unitary design, easily installed in the fuel tank,operatively stable underall driving conditions, and having an auxiliaryfuel inlet of relatively small cross-sectional area.

These and other objects and features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the followingdescription whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which shows, forpurposes of illustration only, two embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an axial elevationalcross-sectional view of a fuel collecting and storing device inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention takenalong section line l-I of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. l.v

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a venturi in accordance withthe present invention taken along sec; tion line IIIIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view of 4 VDETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the viewsthereof to designate corresponding parts, reference numerals designatesthe bottom of the fuel tank. The in-tank fuel pump reservoir 10 isarranged essentially centrally within the fuel tank, at or near the fueltank bottom I 10. The reservoir or housing 10 is of cylindrical form,having a circular base 11 and a side wall 12 extending upwardlytherefrom. The fuel intake means, fuel pump or the intake line for afuel pump, is arranged essentially centrally within reservoir 10 and ispositioned at or near the base 11 of reservoir 10. The fuel intake meansis shown as a filter 20 with a fuel intake line 21 extending upwardlytherefrom.

Wall 12 of reservoir 10 has an aperture 13 therein which receives aventuri-like nozzle 30. Aperture 13 is cut through wall 12 such that theoutlet 35 of venturi 30 is positioned essentially tangential to wall 12and adjacent the base 11 of reservoir 10. The axis of venturi 30 isessentially parallel to base 11 of of reservoir 10. Where reservoir 10is manufactured from metal, venturi 30 may be assembled to wall 12 inany conventional manner such as welding, or a snap type fitting may bemade where venturi 30 would be put in place by snapping it into areceiving structure formed in wall 12. Where reservoir 10 is fabricatedfrom a plastic material, the nozzle 30, base 11, and wall 12 are all onepiece.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, a return line (not shown) for theexcess fuel is press-fitted onto nipple 40 of venturi 30 so that returnfuel is discharged into the inlet passage 31 of venturi 30. Of course,many conventional methods of connecting the venturi line to venturi 30may be used. Venturi 30. has an orifice or aperture 32 formed therein,which orifice 32 opens into the throat 33 of venturi 30. Venturi 30 ismounted to wall 12 of reservoir 10 such that aperture 32 is locatedexternal of reservoir 10. Although only one aperture 32 is shown inventuri '30, it is possible to have more than one opening in venturi 30external of wall 12 of reservoir 10 therefor providing more than oneaccess to auxiliary fuel. Both auxiliary fuel and return fuel aredischarged from nozzle 30 by means of discharge passage 35.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT tangentially of wall 12 andadjacent base 11' as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The venturi-like chamberwith nozzle 30 is similar to the one described above and as shown byFIG. 3 with the exception of the bend in passage 31" as noted above.

OPERATION As pointed out supra, the present invention is of particularsignificance and advantage if used in connection with an internalcombustion engine of the injection type, especially with a gasolineinjection type engine which utilizes fuel injection for the gasoline. Asis known with gasoline injection systems, even at full load or fullthrottle, only a fractional part of the supplied fuel quantity isinjected into the engine whereas the considerably larger residualquantity of the fuel in the pump is discharged, for cooling purposes,and is conducted back into the fuel tank.

The fuel returns to the fuel tank by means of a return line connected tonipple 40 (40') of venturi 30 (30'). As the fuel passes through theinlet passage 31 (31') and into throat 33 (33) a low pressure zone iscreated; this low pressure zone sucks the auxiliary fuel into theventuri through the orifice 32 (32' and aperture 13'). Since thedischarge passage 35 (35') is located generally tangential to wall 12(12), the auxiliary fuel and return fuel is injected into reservoir (10)in a vertical motion. Thus, the return fuel is effectively defoamed anddegassed by the whirling motion while simultaneously insuring that anadequate supply of fuel is maintained for the suction or fuel intakeline 21 (21) located centrally in reservoir 10 (10). The relativelysmooth continuous side wall 12 (12) provides a relatively long returnpath for the injected fuel and prevents any significant turbulence fromdeveloping.

By positioning the reservoir on or close to the bottom of the fuel tank,practically complete consumption of in-tank fuel is guaranteed.

Note, that with this invention, no fuel is allowed to escape from thereservoir while the engine is on, i.e., so long as there is return fuelflow.

It should also be noted, that both embodiments shown are of unitarydesign and are operatively independent of other supporting structureonce the fuel return line is fitted onto nipple 40 (40').

While mention has been made throughout of a suction conduit, or a filter20 (20') and on intake line 21 (21'), the supply fuel pump could itselfbe positioned or attached to base 11 (11) of reservoir 10 (10'); this ispossible since with this invention a higher level of fuel in contactwith the pump is maintained than would be possible through the use ofprior art designs.

While I have shown and described two embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention, it is understood that the same is not limited theretobut is susceptible to many changes and modifications within the spiritand scope of the present invention and I, therefore, do not wish to belimited to the particular details shown and described herein but intendto cover all such modifications and changes as are encompassed by thescope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A fuel reservoir for the intake of an internal combustion engine fuelpump or the like of the type delivering fuel to the engine in excess ofthe engine requirements and wherein the excess of fuel delivered to theengine is returned to the fuel tank by a return line, the intake for thepump being disposed within said reservoir, comprising:

a generally cylindrical structure having a base, a side wall, the sidewall having an aperture; and a venturi for receiving said return fuelmounted to said wall adjacent said base, said venturi having a flowchannel extending the rethrough dgenerally tangentially relative to saidside wall an forming an inlet passage, a throat,-and a discharge passagerespectively in the flow direction, said venturi also having at leastone radial orifice therein opening into said throat, said venturi beingmounted to said wall such that said radial orifice and said side wallaperture are aligned.

2. In combination with a fuel pump or an intake line for a fuel pumpdisposed within a fuel tank used by internal combustion engines, andhaving an excess engine fuel return line therein, a fuel reservoirarranged about said fuel pump or intake line comprising:

a cylindrical structure having a base and a relatively smooth continuousside wall extending upwardly therefrom, said wall having at least oneaperture therethrough adjacent said base, and

a venturi mounted tangential to the interior of said wall, said venturihaving a flow channel including a throat extending therethrough forreceiving and delivering said return fuel to the reservoir, said venturialso having a radial orifice opening into said flow channel at thethroat of said venturi, said orifice and said aperture in said wallbeing aligned one with the other.

1. A fuel reservoir for the intake of an internal combustion engine fuelpump or the like of the type delivering fuel to the engine in excess ofthe engine requirements and wherein the excess of fuel delivered to theengine is returned to the fuel tank by a return line, the intake for thepump being disposed within said reservoir, comprising: a generallycylindrical structure having a base, a side wall, the side wall havingan aperture; and a venturi for receiving said return fuel mounted tosaid wall adjacent said base, said venturi having a flow channelextending therethrough generally tangentially relative to said side walland forming an inlet passage, a throat, and a discharge passagerespectively in the flow direction, said venturi also having at leastone radial orifice therein opening into said throat, said venturi beingmounted to said wall such that said radial orifice and said side wallaperture are aligned.
 2. In combination with a fuel pump or an intakeline for a fuel pump disposed within a fuel tank used by internalcombustion engines, and having an excess engine fuel return linetherein, a fuel reservoir arranged about said fuel pump or intake linecomprising: a cylindrical structure having a base and a relativelysmooth continuous side wall extending upwardly therefrom, said wallhaving at least one aperture therethrough adjacent said base, and aventuri mounted tangential to the interior of said wall, said venturihaving a flow channel including a throat extending therethrough forreceiving and delivering said return fuel to the reservoir, said venturialso having a radial orifice opening into said flow channel at thethroat of said venturi, said orifice and said aperture in said wallbeing aligned one with the other.